Medicare Advantage plans in Howard, MD, 2027
Howard, Maryland has 18 Medicare Advantage plans open to everyone for 2027 (20 in 2026) and 10 special needs plans, according to the CMS landscape files; 8 of the open plans have a $0 premium. 7 plans that served the county in 2026 end or leave it, with 1,062 members living here in September 2026.
What changes in Howard for 2027?
| In the county | 2026 | 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plans open to everyone | 20 | 18 | ▼down 2 |
| Special needs plans | 14 | 10 | ▼down 4 |
| Plans with a $0 premium | 9 | 8 | ▼down 1 |
| Plans that lower the Part B premium | 5 | 4 | ▼down 1 |
| Median out-of-pocket limit | $7,525 | $7,350 | ▼down $175 |
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files for 2027 (Sept. 22, 2026, revised Sept. 30) and 2026 (Sept. 2, 2026 revision); CMS plan benefit package files, 2027 and 2026.
Which plans can anyone in Howard join?
| Plan | Premium | Out-of-pocket limit | Part B reduction | 2026 stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage LibertyH2172-005 · HMO | $0 | $5,900 | none | 4.5 of 5 |
| CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage SaluteH7379-003 · PPO | $0 | $5,900 | $100 | 4 of 5 |
| Alterwood Advantage FreedomH9306-003 · HMO | $0 | $6,500 | $100 | 3.5 of 5 |
| Humana USAA Honor GivebackH6622-094 · HMO | $0 | $6,750 | $78 | 3.5 of 5 |
| CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage EssentialH7379-001 · PPO | $0 | $7,151 | none | 4 of 5 |
| Johns Hopkins Advantage MD TributeH1225-004 · HMO | $0 | $7,200 | $40 | 3.5 of 5 |
| Alterwood Advantage SelectH9306-009 · HMO | $0 | $7,500 | none | 3.5 of 5 |
| Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Value 2 MDH2172-026 · HMO | $0 | $8,900 | none | 4.5 of 5 |
| Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Care Plus MDH2172-014 · HMO-POS | $33 | $7,500 | none | 4.5 of 5 |
| Alterwood Advantage ChoiceH9306-008 · HMO | $35 | $7,500 | none | 3.5 of 5 |
| Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Standard 2 MDH2172-022 · HMO-POS | $38 | $8,900 | none | 4.5 of 5 |
| CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage CompleteH7379-002 · PPO | $45 | $6,300 | none | 4 of 5 |
| CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage SignatureH7379-004 · PPO | $47 | $7,151 | none | 4 of 5 |
| Humana Gold PlusH6622-081 · HMO | $48 | $8,950 | none | 3.5 of 5 |
| Johns Hopkins Advantage MDH1225-001 · HMO | $49 | $8,950 | none | 3.5 of 5 |
| Johns Hopkins Advantage MDH3890-001 · PPO | $95 | $7,950 | none | 3.5 of 5 |
| Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage High MDH2172-002 · HMO-POS | $114 | $5,700 | none | 4.5 of 5 |
| Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PlusH3890-002 · PPO | $165 | $7,550 | none | 3.5 of 5 |
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files for 2027 (Sept. 22, 2026, revised Sept. 30) and 2026 (Sept. 2, 2026 revision); CMS plan benefit package files, 2027 and 2026. Stars are the contract's 2026 rating. confirm on Medicare Plan Finder.
Which plans leave Howard in 2027?
Members of these plans here choose a 2027 plan during open enrollment, October 15 to December 7, 2026; choosing by December 31 means no gap; because their plan is leaving the county, they can still join until the end of February 2027, with coverage from the first of the next month. Each plan's page says what happens to its members.
| 2026 plan | Members here, Sept. 2026 | For 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Humana Gold PlusH6622-095 | 734 | Not offered |
| Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PrimaryH3890-005 | 310 | Not offered |
| CommuniCare Advantage ISNPH3727-002 | 18 | Leaves the county |
| Provider Partners Maryland Advantage PlanH8067-001 | fewer than 11 | Not offered |
| Provider Partners Maryland Community PlanH8067-003 | fewer than 11 | Not offered |
| Provider Partners Maryland Essential PlanH8067-004 | fewer than 11 | Not offered |
| Alterwood Advantage Choice PlusH9306-002 | fewer than 11 | Not offered |
Source: CMS plan crosswalk from 2026 to 2027 (Oct. 1, 2026); CMS monthly enrollment by plan and by county, September 2026 (CMS hides counts under 11); CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files for 2027 (Sept. 22, 2026, revised Sept. 30) and 2026 (Sept. 2, 2026 revision).
Which special needs plans are sold here?
Open only to people with Medicaid as well as Medicare, with certain chronic conditions, or living in an institution.
| Plan | Who can join | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| KeyCare Advantage PlusH6959-002 | Chronic or Disabling Condition | $0 |
| Alterwood Advantage Dual SecureH9306-004 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| Alterwood Advantage Dual ValueH9306-007 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| UHC Nursing Home Plan EX-F004H0710-032 | Institutional | $0 |
| Kaiser Permanente Dual Complete Plan 2 MDH2172-017 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| Kaiser Permanente Dual Essential Plan 2 MDH2172-019 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| KeyCare AdvantageH6959-001 | Institutional | $0 |
| UHC Dual Complete MD-S002H7464-008 | Dual-Eligible | $0 |
| CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage DualPrimeH8854-002 | Dual-Eligible | $5.70 |
| Johns Hopkins Advantage MD D-SNPH1225-003 | Dual-Eligible | $7.90 |
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape files for 2027 (Sept. 22, 2026, revised Sept. 30) and 2026 (Sept. 2, 2026 revision).
How many people in Howard use Medicare Advantage?
11,496 of the county's 59,539 people with Medicare were in a Medicare Advantage plan in September 2026, 19.3%; in Maryland as a whole the share is 24.8%.
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage state and county penetration, September 2026.
What else should you check?
- Medicare Advantage in MarylandEvery county of the state
- 9 stand-alone drug plans in MarylandIf you keep Original Medicare
- Is your plan ending?Every plan not offered in 2027